By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

We all find moments of discouragement in our writing. Rejections, writers block, the green-eyed monster called jealousy, and sometimes life’s junk leave us longing for our passion meter to hit top speed.

The following 9 tips have helped me gain momentum when I’m staring at a blank screen.

1. Take time to pray. 

God knows what we need, why we need it, and He wants to help us. Prayer is our #1 priority. If you follow Edie Melson on Instagram (and you should), #stop2pray is a hashtag we should all practice.

2. Analyze our writing habits

Sometimes what we are doing and how we are performing a task that aren’t productive. When we take time to evaluate our work habits, we often find ways to work more effectively and efficiently. Our passion meter for writing loves special perks.

3. Step away from our keyboard.

Spend time in another creative venture. That can be a walk, a hobby, a book, spending time with a loved one or friend, or a vacation to energize our body and mind.

4. Take a walk down memory lane.

A refresher on why we accepted the call to write can bring refreshment to our soul. Reflecting on our mission statement is a sweet reminder. Oops! No mission statement? Now is the time to prayerfully consider the why of our calling to write.

5. Network with other writers.

Every writer has experienced the aloneness of creating. Let’s face it, our families and friends have determined we’re odd, quirky, eccentric, bizarre, and should be on meds. Talking to other writers about our craft and the publishing industry can motivate us to write. 

6. Register for a writing conference.

Learning a new technique or exploring new methods can gas up our passion meter. Writing conferences can be one day, a few days, in-person, or online. Find the perfect fit that slides into budget requirements. A current favorite method to learn is from various writers on MasterClass. I’d otherwise never be able to afford the valuable teaching from these dynamic instructors.

7. Watch movies.

This really works for me. I see good writing and I see bad writing. I see where I’d change the dialogue and plot, and how I’d modify the setting. And sometimes I’m wowed at the expertise of an amazing movie. Don’t be surprised if you pause the movie to take notes. 

8. Read a bestseller.

Admit it, we all want to be bestselling writers. So what makes them so special? We don’t know until we read their books. Explore their techniques and compare them to our writing. Not to plagiarize but to examine techniques.

9. Mentor another writer.

The satisfaction of helping another serious writer urges me to position my fingers on the keyboard and create.

Your turn! What fills your passion meter for writing?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn. or her website: diannmills.com